Item Description: Cadell, London, 1785. [iv], 32 pp. 1 vols. 4to. Book Condition: Half green morocco. Very fine. First edition. First edition. [iv], 32 pp. 1 vols. 4to. Sir Joshua Reynolds, artist, author, friend of Dr. Samuel Johnson - "Nobody admired Johnson more or understood him better, and to no one was he a truer friend. He was one of the few who could get the better of Johnson in conversation" (DNB) - and the motive force and first president of the Royal Academy, where he gave the annual talk on the occasion of awarding prizes for some fifteen yearsPresentation copy inscribed on the half-title : "From the author" cf. Rothschild 1736-1739. Bookseller Inventory # 219855

Item Description: 1779. First edition. 4to., (pp.iv,1-38, advert leaf), stab holes where extracted from a nonce collection, sewn into 19th century brown paper wrappers, rebound in later quarter niger morocco over brown rough cloth boards, lettered in gilt, edges trimmed. London, Thomas Cadell, printer to the Royal Academy. A presentation copy, inscribed in ink on the half title page 'Dean of Ferns from the Author', the inscription trimmed at the edge by a binder, losing the 'r' in author and the loop of the 'h'. Richard Marlay, Dean of Ferns, approached Boswell for an introduction to Dr. Johnson, resulting in his membership of theLiterary Club founded by Reynolds and Dr. Johnson, where he would have met Reynolds. Boswell recordstelling Johnson ' I told him one of Mr. Burke's playful sallies upon Dean Marlay ?I don't like the Deanery of Ferns, it sounds so like a BARREN title? The National Portrait Gallery records a portrait engraving of the Dean by Heath. The 19th century wrapper is inscribed in ink 'Sir Joshua Reynolds'. Half title and title page grubby at the lower edge, the half title with a few small tears, spine rubbed. Bookseller Inventory # 217545